The Sand Pebbles question (1 Viewer)

Vahan_Nisanain · May 23, 2014

When the film was first released by Magnetic Video as one of the 50 original Fox titles in 1977, did they use the original Roadshow version? On the Magnetic Video version, which was a 2-tape-set, it said "195 Minutes". But for all I know, it could have been misleading, and that it was really the standard version they used. So I am not sure about this.

JPCinema · May 23, 2014

It was the standard version . I still have it.....a memento of the first film I ever owned.

Vahan_Nisanain · May 23, 2014

So I guess it was misleading on Magnetic Video's part then. Thanks.

JPCinema · May 24, 2014

Yes it was disappointing as I grew up in San Diego where the uncut version played for 9 months. I saw it many times there and was shocked when I saw the cut version.

ljgranberry · May 24, 2014

I understood Fox released the roadshow version on DVD several years back; however, the information I have on the blu-ray is it is the cut version. Why can't these companies get it right?

Malcolm Bmoor · May 24, 2014

As a sound engineer (or Stunt Co-Ordinator according to our hosts on this forum - thanks for the Oscars) it's been my experience that companies employ non-technical staff who don't understand anything about the programme material they handle for basic admin or library work. They're likely to search for a title and take the first tape/film/recording/file they find without bothering to understand variety of versions.

The mistake may be caught by somebody knowledgeable or if not can result in production of the wrong version. That's of course too late and explains why there's so often cause for discussion here and elsewhere.

KPmusmag · May 24, 2014

Malcolm Bmoor said:
As a sound engineer (or Stunt Co-Ordinator according to our hosts on this forum - thanks for the Oscars) it's been my experience that companies employ non-technical staff who don't understand anything about the programme material they handle for basic admin or library work. They're likely to search for a title and take the first tape/film/recording/file they find without bothering to understand variety of versions.

The mistake may be caught by somebody knowledgeable or if not can result in production of the wrong version. That's of course too late and explains why there's so often cause for discussion here and elsewhere.

Yes, I had the very first laserdisc release of "The Sound of Music" and whoever did the chapter listing did not know the actual names of the songs, for instance, "Do-Re-Mi" was listed as "Doe a Deer" and "The Lonely Goatherd" was listed as "Hodelay (Puppet Show)". It is obvious that he or she did no research whatsoever.

When the "The Sound of Music" laserdisc box set was being prepared, Robert Wise was called in to look at the results and he found that they had removed the golden tint that appears just after the Main Title, thinking it was flaw in the film. More and more of these directors will no longer be around to help find these flaws and without research this will continue to happen.

AdrianTurner · May 24, 2014

This also applies to TV screenings - I've seen truly shocking prints of The Sand Pebbles as well as one beautiful print in the correct ratio.

Yesterday, BBC showed El Cid - pan-and-scanned and hardly any color left. A year ago they ran a print which looked absolutely stunning, like the Blu-ray we've always wanted.

It all depends who takes which copy off the shelf that day.

JPCinema · May 25, 2014

The DVD has the uncut version with scenes unrestored the way South Pacific is.
The Blu Ray...has extras..which do have the deleted scenes but they are not branched into the movie.

Paul Rossen · May 25, 2014

Ken Koc said:
The DVD has the uncut version with scenes unrestored the way South Pacific is.
The Blu Ray...has extras..which do have the deleted scenes but they are not branched into the movie.

Not exactly the same as South Pacific. TSP dvd long version is the complete film as originally premiered in Dec 1966. No scenes added or subtracted from this complete but unrestored version. The long version of South Pacific had scenes added to the short version whereas one can see the difference in quality between the scenes from the short version and the added scenes.

JPCinema · May 26, 2014

Thanks Paul. You're absolutely correct.

lionel59 · May 28, 2014

Yes. Sadly the Road Show version is quite faded. As there is not THAT much footage it's a pity that they couldn't have digitally color-corrected the restored sequences and included them with the pristine footage of the shorter version on the Blu Ray via branching for those who wished to view the whole film.
As I prefer the longer cut of SOUTH PACIFIC I will probably never watch the Blu Ray transfer of the shorter version but stick with the standard dvd of the original Road Show edition. It is a pity that this cut, even with the un-restored Road Show sequences, couldn't have been also remastered for Blu Ray. (I also don't think it would have been unreasonable to expect Fox to color correct those sequences too. The film made a fortune for Fox, so the effort involved to give the public the best version of the movie as it was first seen would have been a great gesture on Fox's part. Their attitude may have be that we should just be grateful to have the longer cut in whatever form they present it.)
A pity too that the Road Show edition of HAWAII (which involved Max von Sydow looping dialogue in Sweden in the '90's) could not have made it to dvd. A Blu Ray of this edition would be much appreciated (but I will not be holding my breath!). As long as I can play it, I'll view my Laserdisc. of this George Roy Hill epic.

Paul Rossen · May 28, 2014

lionel59 said:
Yes. Sadly the Road Show version is quite faded. As there is not THAT much footage it's a pity that they couldn't have digitally color-corrected the restored sequences and included them with the pristine footage of the shorter version on the Blu Ray via branching for those who wished to view the whole film.
As I prefer the longer cut of SOUTH PACIFIC I will probably never watch the Blu Ray transfer of the shorter version but stick with the standard dvd of the original Road Show edition. It is a pity that this cut, even with the un-restored Road Show sequences, couldn't have been also remastered for Blu Ray. (I also don't think it would have been unreasonable to expect Fox to color correct those sequences too. The film made a fortune for Fox, so the effort involved to give the public the best version of the movie as it was first seen would have been a great gesture on Fox's part. Their attitude may have be that we should just be grateful to have the longer cut in whatever form they present it.)
A pity too that the Road Show edition of HAWAII (which involved Max von Sydow looping dialogue in Sweden in the '90's) could not have made it to dvd. A Blu Ray of this edition would be much appreciated (but I will not be holding my breath!). As long as I can play it, I'll view my Laserdisc. of this George Roy Hill epic.

TSP original Roadshow version is at 2.20 while the shorter version is at 2.35. That may have something to do with not mixing the 2 versions.

RolandL · May 28, 2014

Paul Rossen said:
TSP original Roadshow version is at 2.20 while the shorter version is at 2.35. That may have something to do with not mixing the 2 versions.

That and probably the difference in PQ.

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